Steve Fletcher, University of Portsmouth The world produces a vast amount of plastic. Global plastic production increased from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 348 million metric tons in 2017. Yet much of this plastic is wasted: 86% of the world’s plastic waste in 2016 was either incinerated, sent to landfill or leaked into… Continue reading Why the UK needs to stop exporting plastic waste
Category: Monitoring
15 big issues poised to impact oceans and coasts
Mary Hoff Experts from around the world put their heads together to consider effects of emerging trends on marine and coastal biodiversity. In the spirit of the annual University of Cambridge–led horizon scan of emerging conservation issues, 30 experts from around the world last year put their heads together to brainstorm and assess the potential… Continue reading 15 big issues poised to impact oceans and coasts
World records biggest increase in methane concentrations since start of measurements
In yet another ominous climate change warning, atmospheric levels of the three main greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all reached new record highs in 2021, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). WMO’s Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reported the biggest year-on-year jump in methane concentrations in 2021 since systematic… Continue reading World records biggest increase in methane concentrations since start of measurements
Sea-level rise ‘may cross two metres by 2100
An ADB report warns that sea levels in the Asia-Pacific could exceed two metres by 2100 due to the double whammy of sinking land mainly due groundwater withdrawal as well as the warming of the oceans as a result of climate change The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recommends raising to two metres, instead of the existing one metre, the imaginary… Continue reading Sea-level rise ‘may cross two metres by 2100
69% average decline in wildlife populations since 1970: WWF
The report identifies several key drivers of biodiversity decline including habitat loss, species overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, climate change and diseases. Monitored populations of vertebrates (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish) have seen a devastating 69% drop on average since 1970, according to World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2022. Populations in Latin America and the Caribbean have fared worst,… Continue reading 69% average decline in wildlife populations since 1970: WWF
New tool to mitigate GHG emissions from events released by UNFCCC, UNEP and GORD
The platform helps event organizers systematically evaluate the GHG emission profile and sustainability impacts of the proposed event at planning stage, to design mitigation activities, and to transparently report the actual sustainability impact and GHG emissions resulting from their events. Events, irrespective of their size, are a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and… Continue reading New tool to mitigate GHG emissions from events released by UNFCCC, UNEP and GORD
Language barriers in conservation research could be hurting biodiversity efforts. What can be done about it?
Eva Amsen Some researchers say that ignoring non-English papers could have disastrous consequences for conservation Last year Eliza Grames had an unusual request for librarians at the University of Connecticut, where she was pursuing a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology. Grames, now a postdoc at the University of Nevada, Reno, wanted to find decades-old… Continue reading Language barriers in conservation research could be hurting biodiversity efforts. What can be done about it?
Sudan: new data reveals a sharp deterioration in food crisis, with nearly 12 million hungry people
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warns about a looming food crisis in Sudan driven by the combined impacts of armed conflict, low production of key staple crops and economic turmoil. A multi-partner Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, issued an conducted between March and April 2022, involving 19 agencies, including… Continue reading Sudan: new data reveals a sharp deterioration in food crisis, with nearly 12 million hungry people
Bonn Climate Summit Ends in ‘Unconscionable’ Failure as Rich Nations Turn Backs on Poorest
Julia Conley Deepening campaigners’ anger was the fact that European countries present at the Bonn conference are currently boosting fossil fuel imports to replace the gas shipments they previously received from Russia “We have had enough of you offering crumbs with one hand while you starve the world with the other,” said one campaigner. “Your… Continue reading Bonn Climate Summit Ends in ‘Unconscionable’ Failure as Rich Nations Turn Backs on Poorest
A new way of measuring rural poverty yields unexpected results in Malawi
This so-called Rural Multidimensional Poverty Index (R-MPI) was built on the widely accepted notion that household income alone does not fully capture a person’s wellbeing. Various indicators, such as food security, living standards, education and health are just as important to human development. When Maxton Tsoka and his team of researchers set out to rural… Continue reading A new way of measuring rural poverty yields unexpected results in Malawi
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